Typhoon 'Ompong' strongest to enter PAR this year

MANILA, Philippines - Super Typhoon Ompong (international name Vongfong), the strongest so far to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year, was still too far to affect any part of the country, the state weather bureau assured Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 10:00 a.m., the cyclone's center was estimated at 1,080 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City. It was expected to move west northwest, slowly at 9 kilometers per hour.

"'Ompong' is too far to affect any part of the country," PAGASA said in the weather bulletin.

PAGASA had also said that "Ompong," which is already a super typhoon or a Category 4 tropical cyclone, is expected to maintain its direction and will not make landfall in any part of the country.

The cyclone was packing maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 250 kph.

The strongest cyclone next to "Ompong" that entered the PAR this year are "Glenda" and "Neneng."